What is the subclavian steal?

“Subclavian steal” refers to a syndrome of symptoms relating to arterial insufficiency in a branch of the subclavian artery stemming from flow reversal, attributable to occlusive disease in the subclavian artery proximal to that branch that is usually atherosclerotic in cause.

How does subclavian steal work?

Subclavian steal symptoms presents secondary to arterial insufficiency, created by a retrograde flow that “steals” blood from the brain circulation, more specifically from the basilar artery via the vertebral artery. Classically it presents with neurological symptoms from the posterior brain and cerebellum [4,6].

What is subclavian steal syndrome and its Doppler finding?

Abnormal Doppler waveforms in vertebral arteries could be evidence of subclavian steal syndrome. The difference of 15 to 20 mm Hg or more in systolic bilateral brachial arterial blood pressure measurements provides important clinical information in patients with subclavian steal syndrome.

Who gets subclavian steal?

SSS generally occurs in patients > 55 years of age and has a 2:1 male-to-female ratio 2.

Can subclavian steal Cause Stroke?

With subclavian steal syndrome, if neurologic symptoms do occur, they tend to be transient (eg, hypoperfusive transient ischemic attack) and seldom lead to stroke.

What happens if the subclavian artery is blocked?

The symptoms that do occur are tied to the area that is blocked. You may experience arm pain or muscle fatigue when using your arms above your head, or doing any activity that demands more oxygen-rich blood flow to the arms. Other symptoms can include: Dizziness (vertigo) with arm activity.

Which arm has higher blood pressure in subclavian steal?

1 Subclavian Steal Syndrome Ninety-four percent of patients with subclavian steal have a systolic blood pressure that is 20 mm Hg or more, which is lower on the affected arm (the mean difference between the arms is 45 mm Hg in affected patients).

What are the symptoms of a blocked subclavian artery?